John (Jack) Patrick Graham passed away on February 18, 2012 at the Hospice House in Pinehurst, NC, surrounded by his three children, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 84. 

He was predeceased by the love of his life and wife of 56 years, Jean Hildebrand Graham as well as all of his beloved brothers and sisters, Anthony (Tony), Bernard (Biddy), Albert, Margaret (Peg) and Lorraine.

Jack was born March 6, 1927, in St. Paul, Minnesota to the late Patrick Joseph and Margaret Jung Graham.  He grew up as a Rice Street boy during the Depression, a formative experience that shaped his life.  He graduated from Washington High School where he played varsity football, hockey and baseball.  He served in the Coast Guard during World War II, returning to Minnesota to attend St. Thomas College. After graduation, he began a long and distinguished career in the paper business, beginning as a salesman at Rhinelander Paper Company and ending as an executive with Duplex Products.

After Jack retired, he and Jean joined forces to open Hildebrand’s Antiques in Minocqua, WI, where they spent the summer months, migrating to Stuart, FL each winter. This arrangement lasted for over a decade after which they closed the business, consolidated homes and moved to Pinehurst, NC, first to the Country Club of North Carolina and later to Belle Meade Retirement Community.  Jack loved playing golf, was active in the Catholic Church and volunteered at the local school library.

He is survived by his three children, John Graham Jr. and his wife, Debra Graham of Winthrop, Maine, Thomas (Tom) Graham and his wife, Christine Varney of New York City, and Mary Graham Louise and her husband, Gerard Louise of Wrentham, Massachusetts. He also leaves behind grandchildren Jonathan, Jeremy, John, Jessica and Mickey and great-grandchildren Erin and Jack.

At the request of the family, services will be private, and donations can be made to the FirstHealth Hospice House, 251 Campground Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374.